Aymeric Laporte has flown to Barcelona to have his knee injury assessed by Dr Ramon Cugat – with the Manchester City defender facing surgery.

Laporte suffered the injury during the first-half of City's 4-0 win over Brighton and is facing several months out with suspected ligament damage.

Dr Cugat, a world-renowned knee specialist, is Pep Guardiola's surgeon of choice and has treated City stars including Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Benjamin Mendy.

After an initial scan in Manchester following the injury, Laporte, 25, underwent further tests in Barcelona , with the player and City today set to reveal the full extent of the injury.

If, as expected, Laporte is sidelined for several months, it will be a huge blow to City's hopes of landing a third straight title, with Nicolas Otamendi currently their only fit recognised central defender.

Aymeric Laporte picks up an injury (Image: AFP/Getty Images)

Aymeric Laporte is taken off on a stretcher (Image: Getty Images)

City failed to replace former skipper Vincent Kompany in the summer, which meant midfielder Fernandinho had to replace Laporte in central defence against Brighton.

John Stones is making his way back from injury, although he should be fit for City's trip to Norwich on September 14, but the champions are likely to be without Laporte for some time.

City have already lost winger Leroy Sane for what looks to be the whole season, following the anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered in the Community Shield win over Liverpool .